The Local Cultures in Global Settings contest in London for Perspective UK 2023

On 28 June 2023, London hosts the fourth edition of the Architecture and Interior Design Forum, organised by THE PLAN and focusing on the United Kingdom, under the title "Perspective UK 2023". The opening conference, organised in collaboration with the Iris Ceramica Group, will focus on the directions site-specific design might take in the age of globalisation and on how works of architecture can interpret the unique features of their settings, fully grasping the genius loci even while retaining their international breadth. It will also look at the effect of multiculturalism on the local context, and how, vice versa, the culture of a place evolves in a global context.

The event will take place in the prestigious setting of Church House Westminster, in central London, offering participants an opportunity to immerge themselves in an outstanding think-tank and network with outstanding professionals and emerging talents in the field. The programme for the day includes plenty of round-table discussions and networking opportunities, making Perspective UK 2023 an unmissable experience for fans of architecture, design and urban planning.

The programme opens with a panel discussion entitled "CONTEXT-MAKERS: New directions of site-specific design" organised in partnership with the Iris Ceramica Group. The session will be held at 8 am in Bishop Partridge Hall, in connection with the series of events surrounding "Local Cultures in Global Settings", an international contest promoted by the Iris Ceramica Group and curated by UAE Modern with the media partnership of THE PLAN.
The contest is open to architects and designers, who may register until 31 July 2023, presenting a geometric or figurative pattern to be reproduced on the natural ceramic surfaces made by the Iris Ceramica Group using the Design Your Slabs solution for printing on ceramic.

The panel discussion opening Perspective UK 2023 will explore the theme of design in connection with the specific features of the place and the way in which the elements define territorial and cultural identity. Federica Minozzi, CEO of the Iris Ceramica Group, and Nicola Leonardi, co-founder and managing director of THE PLAN, will open the session with an introductory greeting. The round table will be moderated by Massimo Imparato, founder of UAE Modern, and will involve illustrious speakers such as Kirsten Lees, Paris managing partner of Grimshaw Architects, Sumaya Dabbagh, founder of Dabbagh Architects, based in Dubai, Gianluca Barone, associate director of the international architecture studio Zaha Hadid Architects, and Andrew Morrison, director of Hopkins Architects, with studios based in London and Dubai.

The day will continue with more panel discussions focusing on the ecological transition, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) aspects and the evolution of spaces and functions. These sessions, broken up by a networking lunch, will offer in-depth information on the challenges and opportunities appearing in architecture and design today. One-to-one business meetings held in parallel to this will allow participants to expand their professional networks, and at 17:30 a final cocktail hour will offer another opportunity for interaction and discussion, supplying inspiration, stimuli and new perspectives on how architecture can interpret and integrate into the local context even while maintaining its international scope.

(Agnese Bifulco)

Information and complete regulations for participation in the international "Local Cultures in Global Settings" contest are available on the website: https://prize.irisceramicagroup.com/

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